Bisping announces Henderson rematch at UFC 204
Bisping announces Henderson rematch at UFC 204
The worst kept secret in mixed martial arts is now official -- Michael Bisping will defend his UFC middleweight title against Dan Henderson in Manchester, E
The worst kept secret in mixed martial arts is now official -- Michael Bisping will defend his UFC middleweight title against Dan Henderson in Manchester, England on October 8th at UFC 204. Bisping confirmed the news on his Sirius XM radio show on Thursday.
"Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping for the 185-pound middleweight title, October 8 from Manchester -- live on pay-per-view. Do not miss it," Bisping said live on air.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the would go ahead at UFC 200 but at the time said that the organisation were still working on a date and venue. Four weeks down the line, a date is set for Saturday, October 8th, however, no one has officially confirmed that it will take place at the Manchester Arena as expected.
Earlier in the evening, it had been reported by FloCombat that the UFC 204 pay-per-view would be run at times suitable for US PPV TV. This would see the event start around 9pm local time and then a main event start time of around 3am BST.
The fight will be a rematch of their UFC 100 grudge match where after coaching opposite teams on The Ultimate Fighter TV series, Henderson went on to spectacularly knock Bisping out cold in the second round of their fight.
The knockout to this day remains one of the most iconic moments in UFC history but now, seven years down the line, the table is now set for the two to go at it again.
This time around it will be not only pride on the line but UFC gold. The fight will be Bisping's first defense of the UFC middleweight title that he won back at UFC 199 against Luke Rockhold and for Henderson, it will be his first and likely last opportunity to grab the gold for himself.
While plenty of water may have passed under the bridge since they last met, Bisping's motivation for taking the fight is still undoubtedly revenge.
"Why would I want to avenge the most devastating knockout in UFC history? I just don't know why I would do that", Bisping said on Fox Sports recently. "Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Jacare -- they're going nowhere. Dan Henderson is on the verge of retiring; he said one more fight. So, Dan Henderson, put your big boy pants on, fly over to Manchester and I'll see you in the Octagon my friend."
With the confirmation today Bisping needn't ask any longer. A rematch many thought would never happen is going down in Manchester in eight weeks time.
"Dan Henderson vs. Michael Bisping for the 185-pound middleweight title, October 8 from Manchester -- live on pay-per-view. Do not miss it," Bisping said live on air.
UFC President Dana White confirmed the would go ahead at UFC 200 but at the time said that the organisation were still working on a date and venue. Four weeks down the line, a date is set for Saturday, October 8th, however, no one has officially confirmed that it will take place at the Manchester Arena as expected.
Earlier in the evening, it had been reported by FloCombat that the UFC 204 pay-per-view would be run at times suitable for US PPV TV. This would see the event start around 9pm local time and then a main event start time of around 3am BST.
The fight will be a rematch of their UFC 100 grudge match where after coaching opposite teams on The Ultimate Fighter TV series, Henderson went on to spectacularly knock Bisping out cold in the second round of their fight.
The knockout to this day remains one of the most iconic moments in UFC history but now, seven years down the line, the table is now set for the two to go at it again.
This time around it will be not only pride on the line but UFC gold. The fight will be Bisping's first defense of the UFC middleweight title that he won back at UFC 199 against Luke Rockhold and for Henderson, it will be his first and likely last opportunity to grab the gold for himself.
While plenty of water may have passed under the bridge since they last met, Bisping's motivation for taking the fight is still undoubtedly revenge.
"Why would I want to avenge the most devastating knockout in UFC history? I just don't know why I would do that", Bisping said on Fox Sports recently. "Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Jacare -- they're going nowhere. Dan Henderson is on the verge of retiring; he said one more fight. So, Dan Henderson, put your big boy pants on, fly over to Manchester and I'll see you in the Octagon my friend."
With the confirmation today Bisping needn't ask any longer. A rematch many thought would never happen is going down in Manchester in eight weeks time.